Celebrities who have visited Kalamazoo

Bob Keeshan created and starred in the children’s show, Captain Kangaroo from 1955-1984. He came to Chenery Auditorium in the early 1960’s and to Miller Auditorium on November 6, 1982.

J Edgar Hoover was the Director of the FBI from 1937 to 1972. Hoover gave the commencement address to Kalamazoo College graduates on June 12, 1937. He was also given an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the college. Elvis Presley was rumored to have been spotted in Kalamazoo in 1989. This made papers across the country. He performed at Wings Stadium on April 26, 1977. Annie Oakley was a famous sharpshooter who played a starring role in Buffalo Bills Wild West Show. Oakley appeared in many of Buffalo Bills nine shows in Kalamazoo between 1874 and 1915. She also appeared in Allegan in 1916.

Kevin Costner, actor and musician, was traveling across the state on a tour bus with his band Modern West, on July 10, 2012, when he had a craving for Starbucks coffee. The bus pulled off on S. Westnedge and Costner and his crew, stopped into D & W Fresh Market on Romence for some coffee. Staff members were quite surprised.

These are just a few of the many interesting celebrities who have passed through the area. So far, I have chronicled visits by Ty Cobb, Ann Landers, Helen Keller, Jimmy Hoffa and others.